Yeah, ALGORE would have made Ford produce better cars. After all, he invented the inter net.
Just because corrupt union thugs bought off corrupt Republican and democRat thugs doesn't mean we have to pay for it.
Disband the DOT and EPA, let American car makers build cars I might actually want to buy.
OK then, it's back to restoring a classic.
Isn't it interesting that a 30 year old version of the same car, Mustang, Corvette, Camaro, Jaguar, etc., is so often worth more than a new one in similar condition?
But were supposed to believe the new cars are "better"!
I was in an Econ class yesterday where the professor mentioned how Bush gave the steel industry their "protections" (the tariffs on foreign steel) and whatever else they needed, claiming they would get themselves "up to date" to compete. Well, for the two years that those tariffs sat in place, they sat on their butts, doing nothing and now the tariffs have expired. Have they began crying to Bush to renew the tariffs? It wouldn't surprise me if they did.
I frankly feel sorry for those caught in the middle of these bankruptcies and scale-backs. However, it is NOT up to the taxpayers of this nation to keep bailing out these companies when they make bad decisions and side with the unions. I wonder how many of these companies would have folded long ago if "we the people" hadn't bailed them out?
GW43 is most correct on this one. Let the market work, the fed' need not mettle in the auto business.
Okay, it is a mess. My perception (from 1000 miles away) of the US automotive industry 'situation'.
The Corporate wazoos: pampered, elitist corrupt business weenies, who will screw over their own company (workers and shareholders and customers alike) with the goal of jumping ship with some form of golden parachute when their bad behavior gets things going downhill, or a better offer comes along. They are immoral crooked scum. Greed wins.
The workers: generally overpaid, underworked union types. They have bought in too deeply to the thought that 'the man' (front office) is trying to screw them over at every turn or contract, thanks to power-hungry unions. They cannot think far enough to realize that their skill level is no more than a Nebraskan Farmhand with 5 years experience, yet their pay is 3 times as high. Sure, 'the man' is making millions, but you 'deserve' more. Even if the company goes in the toilet. Envy fueled by corruption wins.
The shareholders: primarily a bunch of yuppies looking for a 50% profit in three days, damn the ethics or business practices. If the next 'the man' is offered automatic bonuses of 5 mil a year no matter how crappy a job they do, that's okay. If the union says the employees need an extra 15 minute break every 43 minutes, so be it, just tell me the stock went up 14% yesterday. Greed wins.
The customers: we want to buy American, to help America. Do we look at how the company is run to see if we like it? Heck no for the most part. Do we realize that even most of the crappy stuff being made here is 'backed' by corporate execs described above who hide behind hideously intricate legal protections ? Heck no! When do we do anything about crappy products? Usually after its too late and it doesn't affect the criminals that 'were' running the company. Apathy fed by a great feeling of powerlessness wins.
The government:
Repubs = big business, except Pres Bush is doing it right, telling the big boys to get their crap straight without a handout (we hope).
Democrats = protect that little guy. Okay which little guy? Well of course whichever one I'm standing in front of when I'm making a re-election/fundraising speech.
It is a mess.
Of course Ford and GM aren't looking for bailouts.
Their pending North American bankruptcies are just a scam to get out from under their pension obligations.
They have nothing to fear from "Chinese" competition...
They ARE the "Chinese" competition.
Ford Unveils Joint Venture in China To Build Compact Passenger Cars
Ford Announces China Expansion Plan
Ford Plans $1 Bln China Plant in Nanjing
General Motors Sees New China Family Car Eclipsing Sedan Sales
General Motors Plans Expansion to Launch Cadillacs in China
General Motors Plans $3 Billion Expansion in China